updated 08:55 am EDT, Fri June 13, 2008

ASUS LS221H Display

ASUS on Friday unveiled a new LCD series its 22-inch range that takes the company's displays further upscale. The LS221H is 0.98 inches at its thickest point and uses materials that are rarely found on LCDs, including leather on the bottom half of the frame and an extra-hardened glass that both prevents scratches and also improves visual quality by allowing more light through and reducing glare. The panel itself is considered above-average with a 4,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio as well as separate dynamic color adjustments.

In an unusual gesture, ASUS drops DVI input in favor of HDMI for digital sources and uses VGA as its only direct PC input without the use of a DVI-to-HDMI adapter. Outside of this change, the LCD is in step with other 22-inch models with a 2ms gray-to-gray pixel response time and 300cd/m2 brightness. ASUS historically doesn't reveal pricing or launch dates in its announcements but is expected to ship the LS221H internationally.